THE ALLIANCE FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIORIATE PROGRAM AGEP CONFERENCE

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THE ALLIANCE FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION AND
PROFESSIORIATE PROGRAM (AGEP) CONFERENCE NSF
Division of Grants Agreements Chicago, Illinois
March 18-21, 2009
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Grants Agreement Specialist

• L. Rashawn Farrior
• 4201 Wilson Blvd
• Room 412
• Arlington, VA
• 703-292-2187

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KC Baukin Branch Chief
EHR Branch
Pam Hawkins EHR Team Lead
Rashawn Farrior Grant Specialist HRD/DUE (except
CCLI)
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Brief History of AGEP

• In late October 1998, the NSF Alliances for
  Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)
  program  awarded eight universities nearly 2.5
  million each to significantly increase the number
  of African American, Hispanic and Native American
  students receiving science, mathematics and
  engineering (SME) degrees.

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Brief History of AGEP

• The original eight universities that received
  AGEP awards include the Georgia Institute of
  Technology, Howard University, University of
  Alabama, Birmingham, University of Florida,
  University of Michigan, University of
  Missouri-Columbia, University of Puerto Rico, and
  Rice University.  In FY1999, seven new AGEP
  alliances were funded, subsequently followed by
  five more awardees in FY2000 and 2001. (Source
  http//ehrweb.aaas.org/mge/About.htm)

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Where DGA Fits In

• DGA is the largest award making division with in
  the Office of Business Finance Administration
  (BFA)
• DGA approved almost 24,000 actions in FY 2008

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Where does grantee fit in?

• Full responsibility for the conduct of the
  research project and adherence to all NSF and
  Federal award terms and conditions
• Compliance with all Federal cost principles
  regarding grant expenditures

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Participant Support Costs

• Costs of transportation, per diem, stipend and
  other related costs for participants or trainees
  (but not employees) in connection with
  NSF-sponsored conferences, meetings, symposia,
  training are allowable.
• No indirect costs allowed

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Participant Support Costs

• Costs tracked through the use of separate
  accounts, sub-accounts or sub-ledgers
• Actual expenditures compared to proposed costs
• NSF prior approval for reallocation

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Meals and Coffee Breaks

• When certain meals are an integral and necessary
  part of a conference, (e.g., working meals where
  business is transacted), grant funds may be used.
• Entertainment, amusement, diversion and social
  activities are unallowable costs.

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Will AGEP institutions be visited from NSF?

• Some reasons for being selected
• High Dollar
• High Dollar amount of Participant Support
• High Dollar of Subawards
• Award made at the end of the fiscal year

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Subawards

• Ability to perform (technically, financially and
  administratively)
• Adequate accounting system
• Not debarred from Federal grants or contracts
• Appropriate indirect cost rate and application
  base
• Cost or Price Analysis

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Subaward Monitoring

• Plan in place for monitoring subawards
• Review of invoices
• Technical reviews or site visit reports

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Site Visits to Grantee Community

• Award Monitoring and Business Assistance
  Program (AMBAP) Site Visits
• DGA Cost Analysis Audit Resolution (CAAR)
  staff provide on-site business assistance to
  organizations
• Sites are selected based on specific risk
  assessment criteria
• DGA serves as the experts on award terms and
  conditions

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Reporting Requirements

• Refer to Solicitation as noted in the original
  grant proposal to NSF.
• Stay in contact with NSF Staff for any additional
  requirements.

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Period of Performance and Prior Approvals

• Pre-award costs 90 days prior to award incurred
  at recipients risk
• One time no cost extension for 12 months
• Can re-budget as long as it does not impact the
  scope of the award
• Cannot re-budget participant support costs
  without written approval from program
• Cannot sub-award major segments of the award
  without prior approval

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Cost Sharing

• Requirement of this solicitation
• Cost Share Certification required from grantee
  annually
• Still need to submit certification report to NSF
  even if it 0.00

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Stimulus Package 2009

• More transparency overall across the Foundation
• More oversight placed on grantees to ensure
  proper stewardship of federal funds.

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DGA WEBSITE

• DGA Web site http//www.inside.nsf.gov/bfa/dga/

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Questions or Concerns Ask Early, Ask
Often! AGEP Conference Chicago, IL March 18-21,
2009